At an Antiques Fair today I found a Hornby Dublo model number 2218, a 2-6-4 tank engine with number 80033. A quick look seemed to show it as intact as far as I could see. The asking price was £19 for a reasonable looking loco over 40 years old - don't yet know if it's a runner though. Was this a good buy?

Update. I've been back to have another, closer look at the loco. The model is, in fact a Hornby Dublo EDL 18, 2-rail, the running number has been changed from 80033 to 80030.

Hi Robert, Hornby Dublo only made three versions of the Riddles 4MT 2-6-4T tank listed below.Your H/D serial number, EDL18 relates to a 3rail version.It's possible that somebody might have swopped the body/chassis previously.One question, is there a hole in the back of the bunker?

There is a hole in the back of the bunker with a screw (for adjusting the speed of the vertical motor I presume).EDL 18 is stamped on the chassis which is wired for two rail operation. The running number on the front of the boiler has obviously been changed from '80033' to '80030' - the first four numbers '8003' appear original; the final number '3' has been 'overwritten' with a '0'. The running number on the sides of the body appear to be transfers placed over the original number.

There is a hole in the back of the bunker with a screw (for adjusting the speed of the vertical motor I presume).EDL 18 is stamped on the chassis which is wired for two rail operation. The running number on the front of the boiler has obviously been changed from '80033' to '80030' - the first four numbers '8003' appear original; the final number '3' has been 'overwritten' with a '0'. The running number on the sides of the body appear to be transfers placed over the original number.

Rob.

According to the H/D book, if you screw the screw in it's supposed to slow the motor down to enable a smooth start. Withdraw the screw and the motor will spin faster giving an increase in speed. It would appear that H/D have used the EDL18 chassis for the two rail version to use up old stock before manufacturing new stock.